Chapter 557 Food Substitutes

Chapter 557 Food Substitutes

Chapter 557 Food Substitutes

Steel rolling mill, canteen.

Canteen director Zhao had just finished a meeting and went straight to the canteen.

"Everyone, put aside the six things you have in hand for now."

Everyone in the cafeteria looked at him in unison, wondering what tricks this Zhao Gang was up to next.

"There is a mission, everyone, listen carefully. This is not just about the First Canteen, it's about all the canteens. Everyone, listen carefully, we must complete it next."

Seeing that Zhao Gang wanted to say something, Sha Zhu said directly: "Director Zhao, if you have anything to say, just say it directly, why waste your words."

Zhao Gang gave Shazhu an unhappy look and said, "The factory requires that the canteen should continue to work hard and make more substitute foods so that the workers can eat well."

"Food substitute? What is a food substitute? Do you know?"

Everyone looked at each other, having heard this word for the first time.

"How would I know this? This is the first time I've heard of this. Director Zhao, do you know what food substitutes are?"

cough~
Seeing that no one knew the term, Zhao Gang pretended to be profound and said, "This food substitute is a bit difficult to explain. If I explain it too much, you won't understand."

"Well, let me pick an explanation that is easy to understand."

Zhao Gang pretended to think for a moment and said, "I got it. You know what wild vegetable dumplings are?"

"I know." Everyone nodded.

"I want you to make more substitute foods like wild vegetable dumplings, using as little grain as possible, but making as much as possible, and making substitute foods that can fill people up."

Hearing this, everyone looked embarrassed.

"Director Zhao, how can we do this? It uses less food and still feeds people. How can such a good thing be possible?"

"Yes, I don't need to give you food, but I can still eat my fill. If I have such a good thing, I won't have to starve. Why would I do it for others?"

"I can't do that. I've never seen anything like that happen."

Seeing the scene becoming increasingly chaotic, Zhao Gang shouted, "Why are you arguing? This is a mission from above. No matter how difficult it is, you must complete it."

"You know what's going on outside right now, and how serious the food shortage is. If you don't find a way to solve it now, you will starve when there's no food left."

"That's it. This task is now in your hands. Try your best to come up with a solution in the next few days. If you can't come up with one, starve yourself for a few days and you will figure it out."

After saying this, Zhao Gang left the first cafeteria with a gloomy face. Next, he had to notify the other cafeterias.

Director Yang has already instructed him to come up with some food substitutes before the autumn harvest.

"Hey, Zhao Gang, that bastard, is so delusional that he wants to hand it over to us without having to do anything, bastard!"

"Bah! What the hell! Leave the bad things to us, and the good things are yours."

"What should we do now? A higher-ranking official can crush a person, so we can't help but do something."

"What else can we do? We have to find a way to do it."

Zhao Gang didn't hear their complaints. He was only thinking about assigning the tasks as soon as possible and didn't need to worry about anything else.

After all, he is not a chef, and if he were not the canteen director, he would not want to deal with this hot potato.

Now we can only quickly assign the task, and as for the results, let them think about it first.

The so-called substitute foods refer to plants, animals, microorganisms, chemical synthetic substances, etc. that people use to satisfy their hunger but are not used as food in normal harvest years.

Substitute foods are mainly divided into four categories: the first category is crop substitute foods, which include the stalks, roots, leaves and shells of various crops that people have never eaten in non-disaster years.

Such as the leaves, stalks, roots of rice, wheat, corn, corn husks, corn cobs, rice husks, etc., as well as the leaves, stems and roots of potato crops.

The second category is wild food substitutes, which refers to the stalks, roots, leaves, skins, fruits, etc. of wild plants, such as elm leaves, bark, acorns, etc.

The third category is phytoplankton such as Chlorella and Azolla, which grow in fresh water.

Chlorella was originally used as pig feed. It is not only a good concentrated feed, but also has high edible value.

Some people use chlorella powder to feed their babies, and the effect is comparable to that of milk powder.

The fourth category refers to synthetic food substitutes, such as "artificial meat essence", "artificial meat", leaf protein, etc.

Compared with the first three categories, they have higher nutritional value and certain technical content, so they are also called refined food substitutes.

Refined food substitutes are destined not to be edible by ordinary people.

After notifying everyone of the tasks one by one, Zhao Gang finally returned to the office.

"Oh, I can finally relax. Why do I have to make these food substitutes? They are useless. It just means I can eat less food. What's the point of all this effort?"

"It's a headache. What if the people in the cafeteria didn't think of it?"

"No, I have to think about it carefully. What should I do if they can't succeed?"

Thinking of this, Zhao Gang couldn't help but feel nervous.

bang bang~
"Who is it? Come in."

"Director Zhao!"

Zhao Gang heard the familiar voice and looked up: "Director Li, why are you here? Do you have any instructions?"

"Have you given any instructions? Have you informed everyone about today's meeting?"

"I've notified everyone. I notified every cafeteria one by one and told everyone." Zhao Gang flattered. Fortunately, he had to walk a few more steps.

Li Huaide nodded with satisfaction: "Very good, you should pay more attention to this matter. Not only our steel mill is researching the food substitute, but other factories are also studying it."

"Whichever factory finishes well first may be able to move up after getting through this difficult period."

Zhao Gang immediately stood up straight, raised his head and said, "I promise to complete the task!"

"Okay, I have something else to do so I'll leave first, you go ahead and do your thing."

After saying that, Li Huaide patted Zhao Gang's shoulder and left.

"Goodbye, Director Li." Zhao Gang watched Li Huaide leave, rubbing his hands and laughing.

"It seems like this needs some attention. It would be nice if we could leave the cafeteria."

The canteen is also under the jurisdiction of logistics and is under the management of Li Huaide. Although he is Director Yang's man, the county magistrate is not as good as the current one.

With Li Huaide's words, Zhao Gang naturally took the matter very seriously.

At the meeting this morning, he was also confused by the task suddenly issued by Director Yang. How could it be possible to use less food and ensure that the workers were well fed?

Although this matter was discussed and decided by the higher-ups, it was not them who were to carry it out. Zhao Gang was still thinking about dealing with it when the time came.

Compared to Zhao Gang who just dealt with the task perfunctorily, Li Huaide was clear about the purpose of this mission.

"There is still not enough food. If we don't find a way to save some food, we will be in trouble later."

"I can't just rely on Zhao Gang. I have to find a way. Otherwise, it will be troublesome if I don't do it well."

Li Huaide left with a heavy heart.

As soon as he left, Zhao Gang went out and went straight to the cafeteria.

"Has anyone come up with any ideas? Tell us what you think. It doesn't matter if the ideas are good or not. Just have an idea."

Everyone who was busy preparing food looked at Zhao Gang who came at an inopportune time.

"Director Zhao, we are just preparing food, how can we have time to think of any solution?"

"Yeah, it's only been a short time since we got here, how could anyone think so quickly?"

"Director Zhao, please tell us what you have in mind."

Hearing everyone come up with a solution, Zhao Gang's face darkened: "I've given you so much time, don't you have any solution at all?2"

"Preparing food is also done manually, can't you use your brain to think?"

"I don't want to hear your reasons. I'll come again before I leave work. I want to hear what each and every one of you thinks. Everyone should think."

"Everyone can be different. If you have to think again, you have to rethink it. If you can't think of it, don't leave work."

After scolding, Zhao Gang left with a gloomy face again to notify other canteens.

"Zhao Gang is such a bastard, he just wants to exploit us. How can there be such a person?"

"What the hell is this? Not only does he not help us with our work, but he just keeps picking up our slack and doing things for us. Sooner or later, we'll have to destroy him!"

"Alright, alright, get back to work. We still have to work at noon."

The crowd was indignant and cursed, saying that there was no benefit at all and they were still being exploited.

Zhao Gang+ and other cafeterias notified, which immediately caused everyone to wail, but their wailing did not affect him at all as he wanted to be promoted.

Fortunately, the canteen now only needs to be responsible for lunch, not morning and evening, which makes the work much easier.

Since the famine began, the canteen only needed to prepare lunch and clean up every day, and then wait for the end of get off work in the afternoon.

The only ones who have an easier job than them are those who have connections and those in idle departments.

Transport team.

Master Zhang Jinwu also informed everyone about food substitutes.

"Don't feel any pressure, this is mainly a matter for the cafeteria. If there is a solution, that would be great. If the cafeteria needs help, please help as much as possible."

After the matter was settled, everyone went their separate ways and did what they were supposed to do.

"Xiao Li, I don't understand what this food substitute is specifically." Zhang Fen asked Li Kailang.

"You know the wild vegetable dumplings we always eat in the cafeteria?"

Zhang Fen nodded: "I know that."

“That’s a food substitute.”

"Oh!"

"If you still don't understand, I have a simpler explanation."

"what?"

"Eat the bark. It will keep you full. One piece will keep you full for half a day."

"Oh, I understand." Zhang Fen suddenly realized, "To fill your stomach. This is a very troublesome matter. Our driver is not short of food, but it is not enough to eat."

"Do you have any good ideas?"

Li Kailang spread his hands and said, "What can I do? Let's see how the cafeteria does it and how we cooperate with each other." Li Kailang didn't have any idea about substitute foods. Making substitute foods is not an easy task.

"There is one thing. After the autumn harvest, remember to go to the black market and buy more food reserves."

"I know that. I'm waiting for the autumn harvest to buy more food. Fortunately, you reminded me."

As he spoke, Zhang Fen looked around to make sure no one was looking at him, and whispered, "I still have some food left at home."

"That's good." Li Kailang nodded: "No, I'm not talking to you about this, I'm talking about food substitutes."

"I heard that food substitutes are neither filling nor tasty."

Substitute foods can relieve hunger to a certain extent, just like the double-steamed rice in the past.

"If it doesn't fill you up, then why make this thing?" Zhang Fen glared.

"I'm really hungry. It's better to be half full than to be hungry, right?"

This is like heating. The most important function of heating is to prevent cold and frost, and the second is warmth.

Zhang Fen nodded: "That's true. I can vomit when my stomach is full, but I can't stand being hungry. I can't even sleep, and I can wake up from hunger."

"It depends on how the cafeteria handles this matter. We just need to cooperate with them."

Since there was nothing to do at the end of the month, Li Kailang planned to take a rest.

Suddenly, Zhang Fen saw someone waving and walking towards him from a distance.

"Hey, isn't that Zhao Gang from the cafeteria?"

Li Kailang took a closer look and said, "It is indeed Zhao Gang. Why did he come to our transport team? There has been no work in the cafeteria recently."

"Even if it's transporting food, it will take until next month."

"Master Li, are you busy? I want to trouble you for something."

"What can I do for you?" First check what the other person wants before asking if you are busy or not.

"That's right, Captain Zhang should have mentioned the food substitutes, right?"

The two nodded.

"I'm just trying to find a solution. I can't think of any solution, so I thought of going to the countryside to have a look. Could you please take me to the countryside to find some inspiration?"

"It's a small matter. I don't have anything to do. Let's go sometime."

Just now Zhang Jinwu has said that he will try his best to cooperate with the people in the cafeteria. Since it is about food substitutes, there is no need to refuse.

On the contrary, when Zhao Gang heard Li Kailang agree so readily, he thought about it.

"It's not urgent. No, not now. How about in the afternoon? I want to take everyone in the cafeteria to the countryside and think of a solution."

"Afternoon, let me think about what I have to do in the afternoon."

Li Kailang had originally planned to read some books in the afternoon and study in advance, but with what Zhao Gang did, he had no time in the afternoon.

But it doesn’t matter. I can’t read much in one afternoon. I might as well go out and see the scenery and the harvest.

"It just so happens that I have nothing to do this afternoon, so I'll accept the offer. However, there are still so many people to recruit, so you should say hello to my master first."

"Okay, I'll go now." Zhao Gang nodded in response. It didn't matter if he brought one or two people, but if there were more people, he would have to report it.

After telling Zhang Jinwu, Zhao Gang went back and told everyone in the cafeteria that he would go to the countryside to look for inspiration in the afternoon.

in the afternoon.

Trucks loaded with people were heading to the countryside under the scorching sun.

"In order to give you some ideas, I asked you to come to the countryside to have a look as a favor. You have to come up with a solution no matter what."

"I can't imagine why you're not allowed to leave work. It's summer now, and you can sleep without a blanket at night."

"Those who are going home, don't think you can get away with it. When you go home at night, write down your thoughts in a letter format."

"It doesn't matter if you can't write. You can spend a dollar or two and ask a child to help you write it. I want to see everyone's letters tomorrow morning."

Zhao Gang stood in front of the crowd and gave a speech.

Everyone in the cafeteria below was cursing in their hearts.

"Zhao Gang, this bastard, is he going to give me some free time?"

"You're just looking for trouble, aren't you? If you have time, why don't you just do it yourself? Why are you looking for us?"

Everyone gritted their teeth in hatred and wanted to punch Zhao Gang to death, if not for Deputy Director Zhao being beside him.

After saying that, Zhao Gang looked at Zhao Zhiyuan who was standing beside him and said, "Deputy Director Zhao, do you have any instructions?"

"No, I'll do as you say."

"Yes, that's decided then."

Zhao Zhiyuan nodded, and Zhao Gang didn't waste any time. He just waved his hand and asked everyone to find inspiration.

He was not idle either, he was also looking for inspiration.

For the sake of his own promotion, he also has to deal with it seriously.

Watching the crowd disperse, Deputy Director Zhao also walked away on his own.

"Look at Deputy Director Zhao. He doesn't look like he's here for an inspection. Rather, he looks like he's here to see the scenery." Zhang Fen whispered.

Li Kailang objected: "Alas, how can you say that? He is a leader. He went to the countryside to understand the people's sentiments. He is working, not just looking at the scenery. Don't talk nonsense."

"How can you say such a thing, kid?" Zhang Fen said in surprise, "Our transport team is not under the management of Zhao Zhiyuan, why are you afraid of him?"

"I'm not afraid of him. I just felt inspired by Zhao Gang's impressive demeanor. Don't think too much about it."

"That's true. Zhao Gang's official tone makes me think he is a high-ranking official."

The two looked at Zhao Gang, who was looking for inspiration very seriously.

Zhao Gang ran straight to the fields.

"Hey, hey, what are you doing? Get out! Get out!"

When the villagers who were doing farm work saw Zhao Gang going to the fields, they immediately went up with hoes and drove him away.

"Hey, comrade, I'm from the city."

"I don't care if you're from the city or not. I've worked so hard to raise these crops. If you trample them and destroy them, can you afford to pay for it?"

"You city people have commercial grain to eat, but you still waste our food. You will starve to death!"

Several villagers complained indignantly that they were starving, while the city dwellers, who had commercial grain supplies, were still going to the fields to harm them.

Zhao Gang quickly explained: "Comrade, there is also a shortage of food in the city. We are here to try to make something to fill our stomachs, not to waste food."

“What we make will be distributed to the village to ensure that everyone can fill their stomachs.”

When they heard that they could fill their stomachs, the villagers' eyes lit up.

"Make something to fill my stomach. What?"

"We are not going to the countryside to find a solution, to see what can be found in the fields to fill in the account reconciliation. This method is not so easy to come up with. We have to take our time, but we will definitely figure it out."

Hearing that he could figure it out, several villagers immediately greeted him with smiles.

If this works, they won't have to go hungry anymore, which is good.

"Take your time to think about it. As long as we can fill our stomachs, we are not in a hurry. So, you can do your thing. We are sorry to bother you."

As they spoke, several villagers immediately walked away, leaving space for Zhao Gang to find inspiration.

Time passed quickly and it was not long before the steel mill closed for the day, so Zhao Gang immediately called everyone back.

"You have been watching for the whole afternoon, so I guess you all have some inspiration in your mind. Come on, tell us one by one. I have plenty of time."

"Let's go back after everyone has finished talking."

As he spoke, Zhao Gang took out paper and pen from the car.

"No, this kid really came!" Zhang Fen said in shock.

Not only him, but also Zhao Zhiyuan did not expect Zhao Gang to be so cruel.

Most people said that although the idea is immature, it is at least a solution.

Only a small number of people either had the same idea or didn't think about it.

Zhao Gang immediately said, "I think this place is only about ten miles away from the city. As a punishment, you will walk back on your own."

As soon as he finished speaking, those who had not passed the test became furious and wanted to beat Zhao Gang.

Li Kailang doesn't want to create trouble at this time and cause himself trouble. If you, Zhao Gang, want to show off your power, don't bring us along and listen to your nonsense here.

"Director Zhao, I'm afraid this won't work. The team has a rule that as many people as leave, as many as return safely. If you let them walk back to the city, won't that make things difficult for our transport team?"

"If anything happens to anyone, will you be held responsible or will our transport team be held responsible?"

At this point, those who failed all looked at Li Kailang who had come out of the predicament, and they had a great liking for him.

When it comes to responsibility, Zhao Gang immediately doesn't want to take it.

"Oh, that's what I thought. Let's follow the rules of the transport team."

"You guys are lucky. You don't have to walk back. When you get home, you must write down an idea and give it to me tomorrow."

"If you haven't submitted it, the medical team is short of manpower recently, so you can go and help. Those who come here, don't gloat over the misfortune. You must also improve your ideas when you go back today and hand them in to me tomorrow morning."

"Damn, this bastard!" Everyone in the cafeteria cursed in their hearts.

"Director Zhao, it's getting late. Let's go back quickly. Otherwise, it will be difficult to go back after get off work because there are too many people."

As he spoke, Li Kailang looked down at his watch. It was only a dozen minutes until the end of the get off work day.

It’s all Zhao Gang’s fault. He insisted on listening to them one by one, wasting time.

Next time he asks for help, I will definitely refuse.

Everyone got on the bus reluctantly and headed straight for the steel mill. They passed by their own yard on the way but did not stop.

Everyone was so angry that they gritted their teeth and stared at Zhao Gang's back.

(End of this chapter)